"The NHL and NHLPA agreed to the terms of a new CBA that is slated to go into effect in September 2026. However, a crucial provision, a playoff salary cap, will kick in this season. GMs were expected to have a full year to prepare for this incoming rule. Now, Brad Treliving and his team will need to figure out how to navigate the situation on the fly."
"Think of the Florida Panthers last season. They were able to add Brad Marchand and Seth Jones because they had Matthew Tkachuk on LTIR. Once the playoffs started, the Panthers activated Tkachuk. That won't be possible under the new rules. Teams will have to be cap-compliant. As a result, a move like the Panthers' cap voodoo last season won't be permitted."
A new Collective Bargaining Agreement will implement a playoff salary cap this season, not in 2026 as scheduled. General managers will have less preparation time, forcing Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs to adapt quickly. The Leafs may struggle to unload problematic contracts such as David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok, with cap-dump rumors also involving Max Domi and Nick Robertson. Teams that might add deadline help may hesitate to take on non-LTIR contracts because the previous tactic of activating players from LTIR to create playoff cap room will no longer be allowed. The Leafs can still trade players, but they may receive lower returns.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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